Assessment of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in backcross population of BC1F1, BC2F1 and BC2F2 in maize

Abstract

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance are the important factors which provides the knowledge about the nature of traits in breeding programme. The aim of this study is to estimate the genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance in the backcross population of UMI1200β+ × HKI163 and UMI1230β+ × HKI163 to identify the individuals in the population with superior agronomic traits. Fourteen biometrical traits were analysed and thus revealed that all the backcross (BC1F1, BC2F1) and selfed (BC2F2) generations, phenotypic coeffiecient of variation is higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation. Highest heritability combined with genetic advance as percent of mean was observed in BC2F2 generation for 100 kernel weight (UMI1200β+ × HKI163) and single plant yield (UMI1230β+ × HKI163). Hence, the genetic gain of the individuals in the population are controlled by additive gene action.

Keywords

• Maize
• genetic variability
• heritability
• genetic advance
• marker assisted backcross breeding.